Just as You Are - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - July 16, 2024

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV

Have you ever felt the need to go above and beyond to gain, maintain, and grow in a relationship with someone be it personal or professional? Have you ever given yourself a makeover or changed your actions and behavior just so you could fit in with the people around you? Have you ever hidden the truth about any aspect of your life to gain something you wanted? Have you ever been scared that once someone got to know you for who you really are—bad habits, insecurities, issues, flaws, and all—that they would leave you and never come back into your life?

Oftentimes, we people please and act a certain way to be accepted, have friends, and win the favor of powerful people. We are scared to show people who we are deep down because we know that not everyone can handle it, nor would they accept the most real version of us. We are hesitant to share our hearts with people out of fear of rejection. We try our best to be likable even though we know we won’t always be accepted in certain relationships. 

But when it comes to a relationship with God, He welcomes you just as you are with no pretenses or performance. God knows everything about you—good and bad—yet He still loves you with all of His heart. God’s love for you is safe, true, pure, unconditional, and enduring through all eternity. The Bible says He never changes (Hebrews 13:8), so that means His love for you will never change.

I spent years of my life trapped in the cycle of people-pleasing. I went above and beyond in all my relationships—personal and professional—not only because I like excellence but because I believed if I didn’t then I wouldn’t be wanted by those people. It wasn’t until God showed me that He wants me and approves of me because I am one of His children that I received relief from that horrendous cycle. I learned to let my guard down and let Jesus Christ into my heart. And that decision changed everything. Not only was I set free from pleasing people; I was launched into the beautiful reality of knowing how much the Creator of the universe loves me and all humankind. I started to get a closer look at my Savior and began to see how kind, compassionate, and forgiving He is to me and all humanity. And as I continue to recover from the bondages of projecting perfection, God has taught me that He is not looking for perfect Christians; He is looking for faithful ones. 

Isn’t it wonderful—and freeing—to know that the Savior of the world welcomes us with open arms? Isn’t it a massive sigh of relief to realize that He sees you and doesn’t expect you to be perfect to be accepted by Him?

There is a song by Crystal Lewis titled “Come Just As You Are”. I encourage you to listen to it here.

May God show you how much He loves you, wants you, and forgives you of all your sins, mistakes, and failures. May you not waste a minute but approach His Throne in prayer and faith, knowing that He has been waiting for you all your life.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, Thank You for all the promises found in Your Word (The Bible). Thank You for one of those promises that tells us we can come to You just as we are. Thank You for loving us even when we didn’t love You. Thank You for never leaving us nor forsaking us. Teach us how to have the kind of faith that moves mountains and pleases You. Continue to set us free from the cycle of pleasing-people. Help us remember that the only opinion that matters is Yours. Thank You for being our safety. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Boonyachoat

Alexis A. Goring is an author, blogger, editor, photographer, trained journalist, and total foodie. She specializes in Contemporary Christian Romance (fiction) and devotionals (nonfiction). Her first devotional book, Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God, was published in April 2020. Alexis hopes that her life’s work will lead people to Jesus Christ and teach them about the God who loves humankind with all of His heart. When she’s not sharing words that inspire and encourage the heart, you can find her in the kitchen cooking up something tasty, or in a café or restaurant, either dining solo or sharing a meal with loved ones. Connect with Alexis online via her website (https://alexisagoring.jimdofree.com), Twitter (@pennedbyalex) and Instagram (@capturing_the_idea).

Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith

Kerry Washington, Andrea Bocelli, Reba McEntire, Mark Wahlberg, Tony Dungy, and Matthew McConaughey—what do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their stories of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going. 

Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.